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The Tsechu is a festival in honour of Guru Rimpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. Most of the monasteries and dzongs perform tsechu is an immense way. Though the dates and the duration of performance of tsechu vary, all the districts conduct it every year. The dances of the tshechus are presented by both monks and local community performers. The people consider it a blessing to be able to watch them performing. The Bhutanese people, dressed in their finest clothing and jewellery, gather together to celebrate the festival.
Apart from Tshechus, there are other festivals also, which are very popular in Bhutan. They are the folk festivals, which exist in different parts of Bhutan; Ache Lhamo Dances is one of them. This festival is organised by the Ura community, in Bumthang on the eigth day of the seventh month of the Bhutaneses calendar. The girls of this village hike up to the mountain in the morning to make their offerings, they dance the whole day; and return back in the evening with flower offerings.
The following table provides an annual overview for the most prominent festivals.
Festival |
Place |
Duration |
Month* |
Trongsa Tsechu |
Trongsa Dzong |
3 days |
January |
Lhuntse Tsechu |
Lhuntse Dzong |
3 days |
January |
Punakha Dromche |
Punakha Dzong |
5 days |
February |
Chorten Kora |
Trashi Yangtse |
1 day |
Feb / March |
Paro Tsechu |
Paro Dzong |
5 days |
Mar / April |
Nimalung Tsechu |
Bumthang Dzong |
3 days |
June |
Kurjey Tsechu |
Bumthang Kurjey Monastery |
1 day |
June |
Thimphu Drubchen |
Thimphu Dzong |
4 days |
September |
Thimphu Tsechu |
Thimphu Dzong |
3 days |
Sept / October |
Wangdue Tshechu |
Wangdue Dzong |
3 days |
September |
Tangbi Mani |
Bumthang Tangbi Monastery |
3 days |
September |
Jambay Lhakhang Drup |
Bumthang Jambay Monastery |
4 days |
October |
Prakhar Duchoe |
Bumthang |
3 days |
October |
Mongar Tsechu |
Mongar Dzong |
3 days |
December |
Trashigang Tsechu |
Trashigang Dzong |
3 days |
December |
Gomphu Kora Tsechu |
Trashigang Gomphu Kora |
3 days |
March |
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